Every gardener loves the greenery of nature. Actually, it is inherited in the nature of every human being. Everyone, whether he lives a luxurious corporate life or poor mere life, loves greenery and is always attracted to it. If you want a beautiful evergreen plant then you need to learn how to plant Xylosma plants.
Xylosma Plant
Xylosma is an evergreen shrub. Most of the time people get curious about its name. Its scientific name is xylosma congestum compacta also known as compact shiny xylosma. Its common name is xylosma. This shrub is native to China.
Does Xylosma Congestum have thorns?
This shrub is normally used as a hedge or as a filler for empty spaces and it is also thorny. This plant is also known for its ovate leaves which are about 1 to 2 inches long. When placed as the hedge for privacy purposes, as a windbreaker, or as a boundary hedge, it needs proper pruning.
Why Xylosma Plant?
Xylosma plants have many characteristics which make them a favorite evergreen shrub for gardeners. First of all, the xylosma plant has multiple uses. There are other evergreen plants as well, but they are specifically used as decorative plants or just as house plants.
But the xylosma is unique in the way that it can act as both hedge and a filler for the empty spaces in the garden. When pruned well it can be converted and trained to a shape that is very attractive and becomes the center of attraction, because it is the only plant in the garden that bears leaves in the fall season.
Moreover, this plant needs little or no care once it is established. This quality of it being handled with less care makes it more preferred. Once the roots are established, this plant can survive on its own. This is a drought-tolerant plant and it can survive in conditions where there is little or no water.
For evergreen plants, gardeners are usually concerned about their blooming because as evergreens they might attract pests. But in this case, you need not worry. Its flowers are very small, almost invisible. It only attracts honey bees which helps in pollination. It has small fruit which attracts a few birds.
One important aspect to note is that as this plant is native to China, you might think it needs a specific kind of environment to grow. This plant can grow in many different parts of the world including all zones of the United States of America.
Growing Xylosma Plants
Can you propagate Xylosma?
Xylosma plants can be grown from seeds as well as from the process of directly planting the plants. Growing xylosma from the seeds is not a commonly used method. Usually, it is grown by getting young plants from the nursery. We would suggest you go and get those plants from the nursery to ensure a high success rate.
Growing Xylosma Plants from Seeds
There is no specific method for growing xylosma plants from seeds. So, we will follow the common practices used by the gardeners. You need to get the seeds and clean them first. Only select the seeds which are healthy and not injured. Then sow them in a well-drained container with a mixture of composted matter and soil.
Keep the container in a greenhouse. When plants have grown and they are large enough that they have developed a considerable stem, only then transfer them to the individual pots. Keep the pots in the greenhouse as well. Keep them there until the first winter has passed.
Now you can transfer the plants to the garden, in the seasons of late spring or in the early summers. Keep in mind that you have to transfer the plants to the garden after the last frost has passed. Select the spot which is quite shiny. It does well in the bright sunlight.
Growing Xylosma From Young Plants
Getting the Plants
Get the plants from the nearby nursery. Be careful while selecting the plants. Make sure these plants have well-developed stems and are not injured by any means. While purchasing the xylosma plants keep in mind the area where you are planting and the season that is going on.
Selecting the Right Spot
The selection of the right spot for xylosma is important. This plant needs full sun for proper growth and to prosper freely and effectively. So, select the place which has full exposure to the sunlight. You can also select the site which is shady and shiny. It will also work.
Soil Preparation for Xylosma Plants
Soil needs to be good, where the roots can freely penetrate and establish themselves quickly. So, you need to first select the right spot and then add the organic matter to the soil after tilling the soil. Mix the composted matter well, so that the site for planting becomes soft.
While tilling check the soil for weeds. If there are any, till well and get all the weeds out. Then make the bed for the plants to transfer them to the site. Keep the upper layer of the site loosened. Make sure the soil is well-drained because the access water might cause problems for xylosma plants.
Transplanting/Planting Xylosma Plants
Before transplanting the plants to the soil, spray or moisten the plant with water or spray water, so that roots get the needed moisture.
Now as the bed for planting is ready, get the plants to the site. If you have grown them by yourself from the seeds then you need to get the plant out of pots carefully, so that the roots are intact. Get the plants out and plant them in the already dug holes. Holes should be deep enough to cover the root ball of plants.
If you have got the plants from the nursery, do the same as told above. Get the root ball of the plants inside the hole so that it is completely buried inside. Then fill the holes with soil. Gently press the soil-filled around, so that no empty space is left.
While planting the xylosma plants, keep the distance in mind. You need to keep a distance of 6 to 9 feet between each plant. If you are planting it as the filler in the rows, then you should keep the distance of around 10 feet between the rows.
Taking Care of Xylosma Plants
Sunlight Requirement for Xylosma Plants
This plant needs full sunlight exposure to grow effectively. So, you need to keep up with the requirement of sunlight. It is the basic requirement for all evergreen plants because sunlight keeps the leaves green and healthy.
Watering the Xylosma Plants
Xylosma plants are planted in the soil with moisture in it. After planting, you should water them enough so that water reaches the roots. Keep it watering. Make a proper schedule for watering until the plants and especially the roots are established. After that, you can reduce the frequency of watering.
After the roots of the xylosma plants have been established, you can reduce the frequency of watering because this plant is drought tolerant and can survive on its own. You can water the plant occasionally whenever you feel like it.
Use of Fertilizers for Xylosma Plants
Xylosma plants don’t need many fertilizers to grow effectively. Rather this plant is very happy with any soil with basic nutrients. You can add fertilizers once a year. Add the fertilizers to the plants at the start of the spring. Give plenty of water along with fertilizers.
Pruning of Xylosma Plants
How big does Xylosma get?
Pruning of xylosma plats is very important. This plant can grow very high up to 10 to 12 feet and also spreads about 5 to 6 feet. That’s why you need to prune it so that you can train it well and give it the shape you want according to your will.
As this plant can be used as a hedge, screen, or fence, and also as a filler you need to prune accordingly. Prune its upper side and sides which are spreading. You can prune it whenever you want and many times a year because it is an evergreen plant.
Keep in mind that you should not prune more than one-third of the plant. Also, prune the branches which are not pruned in the previous cycle. This practice will increase disease resistance as well as provide nourishment to the plant.
Pests and Diseases
The diseases of the xylosma plants are rare and can be dealt with very easily. There is one disease named chlorosis, in which the foliage becomes more yellow than its natural color. This can be treated through the proper application of fertilizers.
On the other hand, pests are also rare for this plant. Scales and red spiders usually attack, but these are seldom found. If you notice any symptoms of these pests, you can use any pesticide according to the directions of the nearby horticulturist.
This gift of mother nature is such an addition to the garden, that always prizes the gardener. It keeps the greenery of the garden intact in the seasons when there is no greenery around and keeps the gardener motivated towards the garden. It surely is a great addition to the garden.
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References
http://www.thegardencenter.com/xylosma-%E2%80%A2-plant-of-the-month/
